Michigan's Nik Stauskas suddenly shooting up NBA draft boards

5:52 PM, January 30, 2014

Michigan's Nik Stauskas. / Associated Press

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Regardless how he downplays the NBA early entry possibility, Nik Stauskas is being watched.

With three strong performances in the Wolverines’ trio of Top 10 wins, Michigan’s sophomore guard is shooting up the draft boards.

His high-level performances against Wisconsin, Iowa and MSU showed his versatile game and may even mean a position change in the future.

With Stauskas holding the Big Ten’s best assist/turnover ratio in conference games at 3.3 to 1 entering Thursday against Purdue, the question has evolved from being not just a shooter, to not even just being a shooting guard.

In an ESPN.com chat Thursday, draft analyst Chad Ford was asked if Stauskas could be an NBA point guard.

“Lots of debate among NBA teams about this right now,” Ford wrote. “Some think yes, others no. He's primarily ranked as high as he is (No. 14 on our Big Board) because of his shooting stroke and quick release. He has the size to play the two in the NBA. But his ability to play some point certainly helps his stock.”

While the ball-handling has improved dramatically and bigger guards are having NBA success at point guard, Stauskas is rising because of his shooting ability.

“NBA 3-point shooting comes at a premium, and Stauskas' play this season has vaulted him from the first-round bubble into lottery territory,” Ford wrote on Wednesday, justifying the move of Stauskas from unranked on his Big Board to No. 14. “On a huge stage against Michigan State and Gary Harris, Stauskas responded with 19 points (5-for-6 on 3s). Three nights before, he dropped 26 points on Iowa while shooting 4-for-9 from beyond the arc. His ability to handle the ball and his improved ability to get to the line this season is gravy at this point.”

■ NCAA REVIVAL: Not only did the Michigan basketball team’s sweep of Top 10 opponents keep the Wolverines in first place in the Big Ten, it changed their postseason fortunes.

Entering the game at Wisconsin, the Wolverines were projected as a bubble team, most due to the lack of significant/RPI Top 50 wins.

The Wolverines’ best wins were over Minnesota, hovering at the time at the bottom of the Top 50, and Florida State, in the 30s.

While many more opportunities awaited against elite teams, U-M had been 0-for-3 against its Top 25 competition (Arizona, Duke and Iowa State).

By beating Wisconsin (No. 9 in the RPI), Iowa (No. 38) and Michigan State (No. 4), the Wolverines suddenly boosted their resume significantly.

Entering Thursday’s game against Purdue, not even midway through the Big Ten season, the Wolverines have five Top 50 wins, trailing only Kansas, Arizona and Michigan State nationally.

For perspective, a year ago entering the NCAA Tournament, Michigan had eight.

That’s why their NCAA Tournament projections have changed so drastically, being projected as a No. 2 or No. 3 seed by the various bracketologists (ESPN.com, CBSSports.com), if the season ended today.

While the Wolverines fortune may shift again in the next six weeks before Selection Sunday, the big wins are in the bank, the most important portion of the resume.

■ GAME TIME: The Michigan-Michigan State game in Ann Arbor on Feb. 23 will be a noon tipoff, televised on CBS.